Christmas Carols That Should Be in Your Repertoire

Christmas is incomplete without family and friends gathering around the piano to sing in perfect harmony (or rather try to). ‘Tis the season of music and joy and it’s about time that you pulled out your song book and relearn the words to some of your favorite Christmas carols. Carolling is a very important part of the holiday, in fact it is a tradition that has been honored for generations and is one that has no intentions of dying out easily, any time soon. Historically, Christmas carols have a very significant meaning and before it become a popular practice to sing them in groups and in public, it was an activity that laid the very foundation of the season and what it symbolized overall. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, carols are joyous and you can’t help but feel your heart swell with love and gratitude when you come together to sing them. If you’re wondering where to start, the ones listed below are easy, popular and are excellent choices that you can include in your repertoire to get the festive cheer going.

Silent Night

Composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, ‘Silent Night’ is an absolute classic that pretty much every one learns by default. Whether it’s in school, college, the local Christmas fete or a get together at home, ‘Silent Night’ must be played and sung, otherwise, it feels as if something important has been missed out. Additionally, it was also declared an “intangible cultural heritage” by UNESCO in 2011.

Deck The Halls

Slightly peppier than ‘Silent Night’, ‘Deck The Halls’ is an easy piece that can be memorized without much hassle, irrespective of whether you’re the one signing it or playing it. Doubling up as a Christmas, Yuletide and a New Year’s carol, it is an amazing piece to sing along with family members or a house full of guests. Once you hear the familiar tunes of this carol you won’t be able to resist yourself from shouting out ‘Fa la la la la, la la la la’!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

One of the most frequently quoted carols in greeting cards and holiday messages, this little number really makes you look forward to a new beginning. What makes this carol even more amazing is that it is one of the easiest Christmas songs that you can learn to play on the piano and pretty much anyone can do it! So, ensure you include this one in your repertoire, sing your heart out and wish the world a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Jolly Old St. Nicolas

Not as popular as the rest but a great piece to learn and sing during Christmas, ‘Jolly Old St. Nicolas’ is almost like a tribute to our favorite man in red and white robes, Santa Clause. Comprising of just a few notes and fairly simple lyrics, you can easily change the dynamics of the carol to make it faster or slower, as per your liking. Lilting and full of soul, with good old St. Nicolas, you’re bound to have a holly jolly Christmas.

Jingle Bells

Last but not the least, it’s probably one of the best known and commonly sung Christmas carols of all time, people from all over the world know Jingle Bells and can’t stop themselves from signing it, especially when 25th December is just around the corner. A carol that pretty much every generation knows by heart, one could say that it truly embodies the spirit of Christmas and the very fact that it’s managed to keep its acclaim and adoration proves what a timeless classic it is!

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” – Buddy the Elf